GeForce GTX 1060 3GB vs GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

G3D Mark is a standard benchmark that measures graphics performance in real-world gaming scenarios. It simplifies comparing cards from different brands, where higher scores directly correlate with better fps and smoother gaming experiences.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (G3D Mark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance benchmarks.

Performance Comparison

About G3D Mark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is the superior choice for raw performance. It leads with a 2.5% higher G3D Mark score and 166.7% more VRAM (8 GB vs 3 GB). This advantage makes it significantly better for higher resolutions (1440p/4K) and graphic-intensive titles compared to the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Performance	❌Lower raw frame rates (-2.5%)	✅Leading raw performance (+2.5%)
Longevity	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))	🛑Obsolete Architecture (2016 / Pascal (2016−2021))
Ecosystem	Supports FSR Upscaling	Supports FSR Upscaling
VRAM	❌ Less VRAM capacity	✅ More VRAM (+166.7%)
Efficiency	Normal Efficiency	Normal Efficiency
Case Fit	Standard Size (250mm)	Standard Size (250mm)

💎 Value Proposition

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers a compelling cost-to-performance ratio. While both GPUs are considered legacy components by modern standards, the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB holds the technical lead. Priced at $50 (vs $65), it costs 23% less, resulting in a 26.8% higher cost efficiency score.

Insight	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Cost Efficiency	✅Better overall value (+26.8%)	❌Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅More affordable ($50)	⚠️Higher upfront cost ($65)

Performance Check

Real-world benchmarks and performance projections based on comprehensive hardware analysis and comparative metrics. Values represent expected performance on High/Ultra settings at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Modeled using a Ryzen 7 7800X3D reference profile to minimize specific CPU bottlenecks.

Note: Performance behavior can vary per game. Specific architectures may perform better or worse depending on game engine optimizations and API implementation.

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB Benchmark Check

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of GeForce GTX 1060 3GB and GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in August 18 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1708 MHz. It has 1152 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 9,815 points. Launch price was $199.

GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB

The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is manufactured by NVIDIA. It was released in July 19 2016. It features the Pascal architecture. The core clock ranges from 1506 MHz to 1709 MHz. It has 1280 shading units. The thermal design power (TDP) is 120W. Manufactured using 16 nm process technology. G3D Mark benchmark score: 10,063 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Graphics Performance

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB scores 9,815 and the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB reaches 10,063 in the G3D Mark benchmark — just a 2.5% difference, making them near-identical in rasterization performance. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB is built on Pascal while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB uses Pascal, both on a 16 nm process. Shader units: 1,152 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 1,280 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Raw compute: 3.935 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 4.375 TFLOPS (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Boost clocks: 1708 MHz vs 1709 MHz.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
G3D Mark Score	9,815	10,063+3%
Architecture	Pascal	Pascal
Process Node	16 nm	16 nm
Shading Units	1152	1280+11%
Compute (TFLOPS)	3.935 TFLOPS	4.375 TFLOPS+11%
Boost Clock	1708 MHz	1709 MHz
ROPs	48	48
TMUs	72	80+11%
L1 Cache	432 KB	480 KB+11%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	1.5 MB

✨

Advanced Features (DLSS/FSR)

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Upscaling Tech	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)	FSR 2.1 (Compatible)
Frame Generation	FSR 3 (Compatible)	FSR 3 (Compatible)
Ray Reconstruction	No	No
Low Latency	Standard	Standard

💾

Video Memory (VRAM)

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB comes with 3 GB of VRAM, while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB has 8 GB. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB offers 166.7% more capacity, crucial for higher resolutions and texture-heavy games. Bus width: 192-bit vs 192-bit.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
VRAM Capacity	3 GB	8 GB+167%
Memory Type	GDDR5	GDDR5
Memory Bandwidth	192 GB/s	192 GB/s
Bus Width	192-bit	192-bit
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	1.5 MB

🖥️

Display & API Support

DirectX support: 12.1 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 12 (FL 12_1) (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Vulkan: 1.1 vs 1.3. OpenGL: 4.5 vs 4.6. Maximum simultaneous displays: 4 vs 4.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
DirectX	12.1	12 (FL 12_1)
Vulkan	1.1	1.3+18%
OpenGL	4.5	4.6+2%
Max Displays	4	4

🎬

Media & Encoding

Hardware encoder: NVENC 4.0 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs NVENC 4th gen (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Decoder: PureVideo HD VP6 vs PureVideo VP7. Supported codecs: MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs H.264,H.265/HEVC (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB).

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
Encoder	NVENC 4.0	NVENC 4th gen
Decoder	PureVideo HD VP6	PureVideo VP7
Codecs	MPEG-2,H.264,HEVC	H.264,H.265/HEVC

🔌

Power & Dimensions

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB draws 120W versus the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB's 120W — a 0% difference. The GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB is more power-efficient. Recommended PSU: 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 400W (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB). Power connectors: 6-pin vs 6-pin. Card length: 250mm vs 250mm, occupying 2 vs 2 slots. Typical load temperature: 75°C vs 70°C.

Feature	GeForce GTX 1060 3GB	GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB
TDP	120W	120W
Recommended PSU	400W	400W
Power Connector	6-pin	6-pin
Length	250mm	250mm
Height	111mm	111mm
Slots	2	2
Temp (Load)	75°C	70°C-7%
Perf/Watt	81.8	83.9+3%

💰

Value Analysis

The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB launched at $199 MSRP and currently averages $50, while the GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB launched at $249 and now averages $65. The GeForce GTX 1060 3GB costs 23.1% less ($15 savings) at current market prices. Performance per dollar (G3D Mark / price): 196.3 (GeForce GTX 1060 3GB) vs 154.8 (GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB) — the GeForce GTX 1060 3GB offers 26.8% better value.